What is the authenticity and meaning of this Hadith?
Jabir (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saw a woman so he entered upon Zaynab bint Jahsh and had intercourse with her. He then came out to his companions and said to them, A woman advances in the form of a devil [i.e. Just as Shaytan entices man, a man is naturally enticed and attracted to women], so when one of you gets excited by her, he should go to his wife and have intercourse with her for that will repel what he is feeling.”
Answer:
This narration is authentic and has been recorded by many Muhaddithun. Imam Abu Dawud (rahimahullah) has recorded the version you have cited. Imam Muslim (rahimahullah) has recorded the narration with a few extra words.
The narration in Tirmidhi further adds, “For indeed with her [his wife] is the same which is with her [the woman you see]”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1403, Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1158, Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 2144)
Qadi ‘Iyad and ‘Allamah Nawawi (rahimahumallah) explain that this does not mean that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had become affected -Allah forbid- when he saw the woman. Rather Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) showed us and demonstrated what we should do in a case like this. He did this so that we too do the same. His actions were meant as guidance.
(Ikmalul Mu’lim, under Hadith: 1403, Al Minhaj of ‘Allamah Nawawi, Hadith: 3393)
Other commentators have offered a different explanation as well.
(Refer: Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 2113)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar